This is an unsponsored commercial for VIETNAM 1. Get here soon before everyone else finds out that it is the best place in South East Asia at the moment. 2. Get to the North.. to the mountains and the 1969 islands of Halong 3. Use www.handspan.com for all your arrangements. I have been totally swept away by this part of my trip. I (stupidly) had expected that everything here might be more basic than it has turned out. HOw wrong I was....

On this morning into Hanoi. What an amazing contradiction of a city. Central lake with cool breezes, chilled coffee and jazz playing from speakers at the water\side. And the music in the bars and cafes is Bread!!!!!! seems like the world here got caught up with the departing US when they left the country in the late sixties. I can't be sure anymore if I am being robbed when I pay for something as I have come from rupees, through baht to dhong in just...